Providing Dignified
Burials For Those Who Die Alone or Without Means
Honoring Death With Dignity
At St. Anthony Shrine, we are honored to
be able to provide burials for those people we never
really think about, such as the homeless, the poor,
those who die alone or whose family cannot afford
funeral services. With the assistance of local funeral
directors, such as Dolan Funeral
Services, J.S. Waterman & Sons and Casper Funeral Homes, among others, St. Anthony
Shrine has provided funeral
services and Masses for many of Boston’s most needy.
St. Anthony Shrine offers
its services free of charge, including its facilities, Mass of Christian Burial
and Meeting Room Space for Funeral Luncheons. In addition, the Shrine provides
graves for those who
would otherwise be buried in a pauper’s grave, and pays for the cost of opening
and closing the grave before and after burial. Other services may include
clothing for the deceased and families, flowers and continued support for family
and friends.
Relying on many donors, St. Anthony Shrine has
had many graves donated to the Lazarus Program by
families and those interested in our cause. These
graves
are located in many Boston area cemeteries, including Mt. Calvary and New
Calvary Cemeteries. Though it is gracious that many
graves are donated, the need far
outweighs
the availability of graves. The
Lazarus Program’s biggest challenge is finding enough graves available, through
donations or purchases, to offer each person a dignified resting place. In addition,
Headstones have still yet to be placed on many of the graves, as the cost is
very prohibitive.
Open To All
The Lazarus Program is open
to ALL who are in need, no matter their faith, poor economic
status or standing in life. All Are Welcome at St.
Anthony Shrine, and the Lazarus Program. In the past
we have helped many people of different religions,
and even those who have freshly immigrated to the
United States only to die within their first few
days in the country. There are times when the homeless,
or those without families, are held at the Medical
Examiners Office for over a year, only to finally
find the Lazarus Program as their means to a dignified
funeral. We have also been the only representatives
of homeless Veterans at their funeral at the Veterans
Cemetery in Bourne, MA. As Taps is played by a Military
Cadet, the flag that once draped the coffin of the
homeless Veteran is passed on to the Priest who now
becomes the sole friend of the deceased Veteran.
The Lazarus Program continues to honor all of those
we have helped with a dignified burial in the past
by offering a "Remembrance
Mass" on the third
Wednesday of November.
Whether through a dignified and proper
burial, or helping families cope with the death of
a loved one, St. Anthony Shrine is dedicated to the
entire person, in death and in life. We pledge to
be there for those who have died alone, so we can
be there “standing beside their casket.”
More Information
For more
information on the Lazarus Program at St. Anthony
Shrine, please contact Gary Convertino or Sr.
Margaret Henry, mfic,
at (617) 542-6440 to request a Lazarus Brochure. Lazarus Brochures are also
available in the Shrine lobby.
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